“This isn’t about me!” I heard Zac’s voice boom, “Let’s keep it focused on the fact that Enzo created some crazy-ass vampire who got the jump on Braden.”
“Zac’s right,” Cole said, “Once the healer gets here, we’ll have to hope she can reverse the toxin in Braden, and then we need to figure out who that fucker was.”
“Is the head still separated from the body? That piece of vampire shit is still in the trunk, right?” Zac asked.
“Yes,” Logan answered. “We’ll put Humpty Dumpty vamp back together and question him once Braden is okay.”
“Lucas and his crew better get back with the healer soon.”
“I’m helping him.” I said as I marched into the room. All the vamps were sitting around a large oval mahogany table in high-back, leather chairs. “Where’s Braden at?”
“He can’t feed on you.” Zac said, “Forget I mentioned you helping earlier. You’re not ready for this.”
“Sounds to me like you’re the one who isn’t ready for this,” I glared at Zac.
“He’s right, Elle,” Cole said, “You aren’t prepared for this, and to be honest, feeding on you is not something we’re comfortable with—Braden especially. If we let it happen, and Braden realizes we allowed it, he’ll kick all of our asses.”
“It doesn’t matter, I said I’m helping him.”
Logan stood up, “Okay, so we overheard the girls telling you how we feed. No, we’ve never fed on a Life Blood, and that’s what is the most concerning to us. If Braden hurts you in any way, we’ll never forgive ourselves—”
I held my hand up, “Spare me the bullshit of never forgiving yourselves. Somehow you’re all bonded or whatever to me because of my blood. Val said she sensed the connection and that it’s going to be the five of us from here on out. No, I haven’t fully accepted this crazy shit, but what I have accepted is Braden. He’s done enough for me already to know I need to be there for him and to protect him like he and all of you would protect me.” I planted both hands on my hips, maintaining confidence in front of the guys. “I’m not a virgin if that’s what you’re thinking. I can handle it.”
Logan grinned, “Sweetheart, when it comes to us and this? You’re very much a virgin.”
“Stop talking to me like I’m an idiot and let me help him.”
“What Logan is trying to say is,” Zac softened his expression toward me, “We’re scared we could hurt you in the process of feeding on you even in anormalsituation. Braden is not himself right now, and we have no idea what he’ll do to you. If you beg him to stop, will he stop? There is some kind of mind-altering and life-threatening virus working inside him, and we can’t trust he won’t rip your head off in the process of feeding.”
“We can draw her blood into a blood bag,” Cole said as if a lightbulb went on in his head.
“Can he even drink the blood? Last I saw, he looked like a stone,” I said, wondering how this was supposed to work.
“Fuck!” Zac ran a hand through his hair, and looked at Cole, “Get to the hospital. Get the stuff to start IVs.” Cole was gone in a blur, and Zac looked at me, “When he gets back, we’re going to draw your blood. We’ll use it and make an IV bag for Braden. This will work.” He smiled with relief.
“Where’s Braden, I want to see him,” I asked.
“It’s not a good idea,” Zac said.
“Why? Will he go zombie vamp on me if he smells my blood or something?”
“Possibly, yes. His state is very unpredictable. The virus is controlling him. He’s changing. It’s almost like the virus is turning him into one of Enzo’s people,” Logan said.
“Fine.” I turned to leave, “Let me know when you’re ready for me.”
As I left the office area, I was shocked when Zac grabbed the inside of my elbow. “While we wait for Cole to get back, I wanted to know if you’re okay with a private talk. I owe you an apology.”
I stared into his cinnamon-colored eyes that seeped into my heart and soul with just this glance. My heart started beating out of rhythm, and that prompted a tiny smile from Zac. Yes, the guy was gorgeous, and for a fleeting moment, I felt myself long for the day he and I were alone together. I imagined more than I should have, and it wasn’t helping. Now, my cheeks were flushed red, and I knew if I was going to have this conversation with Zac, I had to get it together.
Chapter Twenty
Iknew I was going to need fresh air for this. It was the first time I had been alone with Zac since this bond—or curse, for him—had taken over.
“Say what you need to say,” I said curtly.
“Listen,” his voice elevated in frustration. “This isn’t easy for me at all.” He paused as he looked up at the sky as if he were trying to find the right words. “I just need you to know that I do feel the devotion and this awkward draw toward you, but I’m not taking to it well. I’m sorry I’ve turned into a total dick, it’s really not in my personality to be such an asshole.” He sighed, “It’s also not in my personality to instantly fall in love with a woman, or a human, or anyone for that matter. This whole thing is just too much too fast.”
I remained silent, folding my arms and letting him talk.
